Patent US4170400A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4170400A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Wide angle view optical system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-07-05
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Granted: 1979-10-09
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Expires: 1997-07-05
Abstract
Abstract An optical system for cameras and projectors includes a reflective convex mirror for a wide-angle view, for example, a sector of one fourth of a sphere to obtain a view of 180°. The optical system further includes a front face reflecting mirror to change the optical path 90°, a first focusing lens, a fiber optic bundle and a second focusing lens. The fiber optic bundle has one face in the form of an annulus or sector of an annulus and the opposite face of rectangular shape so that an annular shaped image may be converted into a non-distorted image of rectangular form.
Inventors
- 👤 Bert Bach
- 👤 Eliot S. Gerber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; G03; G03B; G03B37/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A camera optical system for filing a wide-angle view comprising: a reflective convex mirror means in which a wide angle view is reflected; a first focusing lens means to focus the image from said curved mirror means; a fiber optic bundle consisting of a plurality of fiber optic strands to conduit a coherent image, said fiber optic bundle having a front face toward said first focusing lens in the end face shape in cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis of the fiber strands of an annulus sector and a back face in the end face shape substantially of a rectangle; and a second focusing lens means to focus the image from said optic bundle back face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A camera optical system for filing a wide-angle view comprising: a reflective convex mirror means in which a wide angle view is reflected; a first focusing lens means to focus the image from said curved mirror means; a fiber optic bundle consisting of a plurality of fiber optic strands to conduit a coherent image, said fiber optic bundle having a front face toward said first focusing lens in the end face shape in cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis of the fiber strands of an annulus sector and a back face in the end face shape substantially of a rectangle; and a second focusing lens means to focus the image from said optic bundle back face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said curved mirror means is a sector of a sphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as in claim 1 and further including reflecting means positioned in the optical path between said first focusing lens and said curved mirror means to change the optical path at about a 90° angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 3 wherein said reflecting means is a flat front surface mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said fiber optic bundle is a fused tapered bundle producing a magnified image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said fiber optic bundle consists of glass fibers each of which is less than 10 microns in diameter formed into a fused non-flexible optical mosaic which is an image conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said fiber optic bundle is twisted to form an image inverter having an image rotation of 180° so that said film image is reversed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said fiber optic bundle has its strands cross so that the image is reversed left to right and right to left but is not changed from upright to upside down.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said fiber optic bundle has its strands cross so that the image is reversed left to right and also inverted top to bottom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fiber optic bundle has its strands cross so that the existing image is inverted so that it is turned upside down.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
A projection optical system for projecting a wide angle view from a substantially rectangular film image, comprising: (a) a first focusing lens means to focus the image from said film image; (b) a fiber optic bundle consisting of a plurality of fiber optic strands to conduit a coherent image, said fiber optic bundle having a back face toward said first focusing lens in the end face shape substantially of an oblong and a front face lens in the end face shape in cross-section taken perpendicular to the axii of the fiber strands of an annulus sector; and (c) a second focusing lens means to focus the image from said front face of said fiber optic bundle; (d) a reflective curved convex mirror means to receive the image from said second focusing lens and reflect the image; and (e) a curved screen upon which the image from said curved mirror is projected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
A projection optical system for projecting a wide angle view from a substantially rectangular film image, comprising: (a) a first focusing lens means to focus the image from said film image; (b) a fiber optic bundle consisting of a plurality of fiber optic strands to conduit a coherent image, said fiber optic bundle having a back face toward said first focusing lens in the end face shape substantially of an oblong and a front face lens in the end face shape in cross-section taken perpendicular to the axii of the fiber strands of an annulus sector; and (c) a second focusing lens means to focus the image from said front face of said fiber optic bundle; (d) a reflective curved convex mirror means to receive the image from said second focusing lens and reflect the image; and (e) a curved screen upon which the image from said curved mirror is projected.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 11 wherein said curved mirror means is a sector of a sphere.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 11 and further including a reflecting means positioned in the optical path between said second focusing lens and said curved mirror means to change the optical path at about a 90° angle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as in claim 13 wherein said reflecting means is a flat front surface mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 11 wherein said fiber optic bundle is a fused tapered bundle producing a magnified image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as in claim 11 wherein said fiber optic bundle consists of glass fibers each of which is less than 10 microns in diameter formed into a fused non-flexible optical mosaic which is an image conduit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 11 wherein said fiber optic bundle is twisted to form an image inverter having an image rotation of 180° so that said film image is reversed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-08 | 1983-04-09 | 1983-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-08 | 1987-04-09 | 1987-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-08 | 1991-04-09 | 1991-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |